Startup of the Week – GetQd

If you enjoy going out with friends to restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs or lounges, you’ve probably dealt with the problem of waiting in line to get in. Given the cold winters in Calgary, this can be an extremely frustrating experience as the lineups can extend way down the street depending on the venue.

Enter GetQd, a mobile application that enables you to discover venues and join a lineup right from your phone. You receive a notification once it’s your turn to get in. So now you can join a lineup from home or on your way to a venue.

Sounds great for patrons, but what do venues get out of it? Well, a few things: GetQd streamlines the entry process, reduces the risk of patrons leaving, provides valuable patron data, and acts as a great marketing tool as venues can send patrons relevant offers and patrons are able to share their experience on social media.

With over 40,000 users and customers like Cowboys Nightclub, Cowboys Casino, Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall in under a year, GetQd is enroute to eliminating lineups in the entertainment industry.

We recently talked to the founder and CEO Lucas McCarthy to learn more.

How did you come up with the idea for your startup?

We’ve all been in the industry and wanted to change things up. As customers, we’ve been frustrated by situations where we were forced to wait. We found a real world problem that we could solve, validated the market with customers, and focussed on execution.

What has been the biggest challenge so far?

Talent and user acquisition. To have users understand what we do and get onboard isn’t hard once we have their attention. However getting that attention in the first place has definitely been one of our most challenging tasks so far.

Are there any key individuals outside of your organization that have been of great help to your startup?

Kelly Thompson who was one of the founders of iStockphoto has helped a lot with the strategic direction of the company. Another individual who’s been integral is our investment manager, Paul O’Donoghue. The support from our two excellent advisors, along with our management and early customers has brought GetQd to where we are today. All of the meetings we have taken with former teachers, friends, and other folks in the startup space have made a world of a difference.

What’s new with your startup that we can share?

In January we will be launching a new iOS app across Canada that will totally change the way people experience their night out. We’re working alongside some recently acquired talent that has been priceless in making our product the best it can be.

Personally, do you think it is more difficult to raise capital or find the right talent?

This city is full of money; however, it needs to come with the right talent. Our mantra has always been to find not just money, but the right money. Strategic investors are extremely important in our business. To add to that, you can find talent without money, but you should never try to find money without talent.

What has contributed to your success to this point?

Find people that believe in your idea, and work as hard as you physically can, but more importantly, work smart.

What made you choose to go down the path of entrepreneurship?

I recently graduated university and had to make the decision between investment banking and GetQd. I figured something that makes me happy is the best way to go.

What are your thoughts on Calgary’s startup community?

The people I’ve met have been nothing but supportive, sharing their contacts, their advice, and their time. It’s been easy to get connected with people who are willing to lend a helping hand. Getting asked for advice in your area of expertise really makes you feel like you’re giving back, and I think that’s what it’s all about.

What’s your ask right now? What do you and your startup need?

We are currently building our user base on our iOS and Android application, and working on adding more entertainment venues. We are currently seeking Student Ambassadors and Industry partnerships. We are always interested in strategic investors, and we’re also interested in building out our advisory team.

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